Big Finish Review: Dark Eyes 2

Last year Big Finish released Dark Eyes. The set picked up where the Eighth Doctor story, “To the Death” had ended. It was successful. Wildly so. So much so that it crashed Big Finish’s website for a day or two. It was a critical darling and went on to win some pretty big awards. And now we’re faced with the sequel. Does it measure up?

Mostly. It isn’t quite as good as the first, but if the first gets an A, this gets a solid A-minus. It’s four fascinating stories featuring the return of Molly O’Sullivan, as well as the Daleks and the Master. Also along for the ride is a woman named Liv Chenka who, to save you wondering, appeared with the Seventh Doctor in “Robophobia“. Let’s have a look at each of the four.

Part 1: The Traitor
by Nicholas Briggs
Nixyce VII is under Dalek occupation. For many, their only hope of survival is decent medical care, as slave working conditions under the Dalek regime are appalling. But when you help people to survive under the rule of the Daleks, are you actually helping the Daleks? Med-tech Liv Chenka doesn’t have the luxury of pondering these dilemmas. She must just do what she feels is right.

But then there are the soldiers of last resort… The freedom fighters left behind to cause maximum damage to the Dalek war effort, at whatever cost. To them, anyone who seems to be helping the Daleks is a traitor.

And when the Doctor arrives, his secret agenda throws him into conflict with everyone.

This is the story that sets the stage for the others. Of course we have to have the Daleks, and the Dalek Time Controller, because apparently there’s no keeping a good Dalek down. There was much to enjoy here, though I’ll admit that, as there is a bit of the old “timey-wimey”, there were times I was very distracted trying to figure out exactly what was going on. That said, the idea of following someone who is viewed as a traitor to humanity was kind of interesting. I also liked the fact that the Dalek Time Controller had figured out that perhaps treating human slaves decently might result in better work. Now if only my employer would realize this…

This was a good story, with some great acting and writing. I did find the cliffhanger a bit annoying, but overall, I was pleased, though I really couldn’t wait to get back to Molly. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait very long.

Part 2: The White Room
by Alan Barnes
Molly O’Sullivan is still trying to help people, but now she is back in London, staying in Baker Street.

But there are dangerous forces abroad. Where are the young deserters disappearing to? Who are the Huntsmen? And what is really going on at the Blackwell Convalescent Home?

Perhaps the mysterious ‘Surgeon General’ has the answers. To find out, the Doctor must tackle an old and baffling enemy.

So this is the story that really gets to the meat of what’s going on. We find out that the Viyrans, previously seen in…well, several stories, are back and up to no good, as is their wont. This story features quite a bit more of the “timey-wimey” stuff, but I’m completely ok with that, because it also features the return of Molly O’Sullivan! Yay! I really like her character, and it’s nice to have her back again. It is also very nice to see her out of the World War I setting and living a relatively decent life as a civilian. I also liked that the ongoing Troubles in Ireland, which in the story’s time are really about to hit big, are addressed. One of the minor failings of Doctor Who has always been its reluctance to address some of the darker areas of British Imperial history, and it’s nice to see it done here.

That said, I’ve never overly much cared for the Viyrans as adversaries, and the way they were seen off here was a bit eye-rolling. I do feel that, while this was a good story, it was by far the weakest of the four. It also doesn’t seem to tie into the larger story as much as I would have liked. Still, it brought Molly back and that’s quite lovely.

Part 3: Time’s Horizon
by Matt Fitton
The Doctor and Molly find themselves at the very edge of creation. But something dangerous seems to be heading back into the known universe from the very end of time.

The crew of the cryo-ship Orpheus, including its medical officer Liv Chenka, have their mission parameters to adhere to; but the arrival of the Doctor and Molly changes everything. An ancient and terrible force is on a collision course with them all and the outcome seems to be a matter of divine destiny.

Now here was a story I could really sink my teeth into. It brings back Liv, who is a bit understandably bitter about what happened between her and the Doctor in the first story. The fact that that particular incident is in the Doctor’s future makes things even more interesting. It also puts Molly into space, gives us a good “sci-fi” setting and brings back Big Finish’s latest “Ooo, we’re a clever lot, aren’t we?” villains, the Eminence (and yes, they are quite clever).

The Eminence haven’t really established themselves as villains in the Who-universe just yet, but I think this story could help change that. They, and their little band of Immortals, become more interesting each time we see them. I liked seeing them now, and I particularly liked the reactions people had toward them, which seemed to include fascination by at least one person who actually <em>wanted</em> to become one of the Immortal Warriors.

So basically an all-around good story, and a great set-up for the last one.

Part 4: Eyes of the Master
by Matt Fitton
The Doctor, Liv and Molly arrive back on Earth in the 1970s to investigate the Ides Institute. The timelines have shifted since the Doctor and Molly first travelled here and all is not as it was. Dr Sally Armstrong is still working for the Ides, but her associate has a devastating plan in mind.

Soon, Molly’s ‘dark eyes’ prove to be at the centre of a plot to seize control of all life in the universe.

Well, we knew he was coming, yes? If the title and the presence of Alex Macqueen didn’t help you figure it out, there’s probably just no help for you. Yes, the Master is back, and, to steal a phrase, it’s about time.

I rather liked the Macqueen Master when he turned up in UNIT: Dominion. He wasn’t nearly as tortured or psychotic as the Ainley or Beevers (aka: The Beef-Jerky-In-a-Cloak Master), versions of the characters were. He was a bit more intellectual and playful, without being over-the-top. I liked having that take on the character, and I’m pleased to report it is continued here. This particular Master even goes in for a bit of nostalgia, talking with the Doctor about the good old times they had during the 1970s.

As for the actual story, quite good. Certainly the best in the set. All the actors are on top form, and the writing is crisp and well-paced. I was also very much surprised by the ending, and it really makes me long for November when we’ll get a resolution to what happened. Well, hopefully, anyhow.

To summarize, I really did like this set quite a lot. At the roughly $20/20 pound price point for download, you really can’t beat it. It’s a great value, and a worthy follow-up to the first set. If you liked that one, I can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t like and want this one. It really is very, very good.

Dark Eyes 2 is available to purchase now from BigFinish.com and Amazon.